Lewisham

Lewisham's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in ethnicity, housing tenure and health.

The population passed quarter of a million

In the decade to 2011, the population of Lewisham increased by 11%, from almost 249,000 to 276,000.

The addition of almost 27,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Lewisham was home to, on average, 56 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Average age stable in Lewisham

Latest census data also show that the median age of Lewisham remained 33 years in the decade to 2011.

This urban area had a slightly higher average age than London and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of almost 9,700 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population over the age of 80 years decreased by just over 700.

About 15% of people in Lewisham are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Lewisham by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Lewisham

The number of people in Lewisham from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 10,000 in 2001 to about 20,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 4.2% to 7.4% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across London (from 3.2% to 5.0%) and the average across England (from 1.3% to 2.3%).

The number of people in Lewisham from the White ethnic groups decreased from about 160,000 in 2001 to about 150,000 in 2011 (from 66% to 54%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 58,000 to just under 75,000 (from 23% to 27%).

Just under 26,000 people (5.2%) said they were from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups, up from about 13,000 in 2001 (9.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) in Lewisham increased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Lewisham by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Lewisham

The percentage of Lewisham residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 5.2% to 5.1% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities remained close to 2.7%, while the percentage of Lewisham residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 92%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 5.8% in 2001 to 5.3% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Living alone in Lewisham

The percentage of households with only one person fell in Lewisham, but at a slower rate than all other London boroughs, except Newham and Camden.

During this period, Lewisham overtook five local authority areas, including Wandsworth and Haringey, to become the London local authority area with the 10th-highest percentage of one-person households.

The percentage of households with only one person was higher than across London

Percentage of households that comprised only one person across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Lewisham that rented privately increased from 13% to 24% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (31%) households lived in social housing, compared with 35% in 2001. The percentage of Lewisham households that owned their home decreased from 49% to 42%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of London (from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Lewisham increased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of households in Lewisham, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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